PUBLICATION

Amidst the current challenges of the global economy, the mining sector has a sense of optimism. Demand has been supportive of gold and iron ore prices, and minerals used for batteries will remain in focus, not least due to the ongoing growth in the electric vehicle markets. Long term fundamentals underpin future demand.

Alongside a favourable outlook for mining demand, the cost side of the sector is being impacted by the application of technology – enhancing margins and reimagining processes which in some cases have endured for decades.

The Coronavirus epidemic has captured much media attention in recent weeks. Many of my colleagues ask me whether it is being overblown. The answer is no, it is a serious problem. The issue is that it is a contagious disease caused by a virus which appears in animals such as bats, pigs, and small mammals, and has the capacity to quickly make the leap to “animal to human” transmission. The other issue is that there is no cure or vaccination yet developed to prevent widespread infection. The only thing that can be done for patients is supportive care to help the body’s own immune system fight the infection. It is also frightening that unlike the typical flu which most severely impacts the very young and the very old, this virus also kills regular healthy adults as well.